Patient is Killed From Undiagnosed Gastrointestinal Leak Following Hernia Surgery

Case Overview

This case involves a middle-aged male patient in Missouri with chronic heartburn as well as a large hernia. He was taken to the OR for a procedure to repair the hernia. At the time of the surgery, it was found that the patient had a unique anatomy that required the placement of a mesh implant to repair the hernia. A few days later, the patient developed shortness of breath and a fever. That night he also developed tachicardia. He was started on medication for the tachycardia, however no sepsis workup was done. The following day, he developed respiratory failure that required intubation. He was seen by an infectious disease physician who recommended a CT scan, as well as a change in the patient’s antibiotics. Nevertheless, he continued to deteriorate and underwent a CT scan which showed a gastroesophageal leak. The patient underwent surgery to repair the leak, however he eventually died while in the hospital.